Hey there! I really appreciate all the reviews that came in. All the things that you've said have really, really got me thinking of what to write next.
Sabineballz: It's really cool that you've sent a review. I really appreciate it very much. Well, for your questions, I won't answer it straightforward because it is included in this chapter.if not, the next. Sorry.can't answer.
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Chapter 5 Things Get Twisted
Van felt Folken's eyes on him.
He looked and he was right.
"Me?" Van asked.
Folken grinned more.
"Yup! You're perfect!" Allen said.
Hitomi didn't know how to react to all of that.
"Oh no! Why me?" Van said.
"Like they said, you're perfect for the job. What do you think Hitomi?" Yukari said.
They looked at Hitomi.
"I don't think this is going to work guys. I don't think I'm up for it." Hitomi replied.
"It will! Trust us!" Allen reassured.
"Allen's right...unless you have a better idea." Yukari said.
"Well no but-" Hitomi tried to say but was cut off.
"Then it's settled then! The two of you make a great couple…and I suggest you guys start acting now. Marco, ten o'clock." Folken said.
"You guys are on." Allen whispered as he pushed Van and Hitomi closer.
Marco approached.
It seemed that he wasn't seeing any body but Hitomi.
"Good afternoon, my dearest, Hitomi. Are you free this afternoon? Because if you are, why don't we go out." Marco said.
"Boy, is this guy asking for it." Yukari whispered to both Folken and Allen.
"I know what you mean." Allen whispered back.
"I don't know how Hitomi could tolerate this guy for this long." Folken commented.
"Yeah. It wasn't easy. Hitomi avoided him as much as possible. If it were me, I would have killed him by now. It's your fault any way." Yukari replied.
"Us? What did we do?" Allen replied.
"That's just it! What you didn't do..you could have suggested this idea a long time ago and it could have spared Hitomi from this." Yukari whispered.
Hitomi then forced a smile.
She didn't want anything to do with him.
She couldn't stand him for much longer.
She had tried to be nice to him and tell him that all she wanted at that time was be friends.
She knew she wasn't ready for that kind of relationship.
Hitomi had tried to let him know in a nice, softer way but it really looked like he wouldn't take no for an answer.
Hitomi then said, "You're a great guy Marco but…"
"But Hitomi has a boy friend." Yukari continued for Hitomi.
"Yeah! That's right! I have a boy friend!" Hitomi played along.
She was really becoming really desperate in shaking that guy off.
She wished that it would work.
"That's so nice Hitomi. No really?" Marco said.
He took a step forward towards her.
Hitomi took a step back against Van.
'Come on guys! If you want to do something do it now.' Hitomi silently pleaded.
Folken elbowed Van slightly.
Van knew what he wanted to say.
"Yes really. I'm her boy friend." Van finally said.
Hitomi signed in relief.
"I'm sorry. We wanted to keep it a secret because…because..." Hitomi said.
"Because of the age thing. Hitomi, how could you forget? Didn't you guys tell it to us about three weeks ago?" Folken saved.
"Oh, yeah…yeah…you're right...Mom and dad forbade me from having a boy friend until I'm legally sixteen." Hitomi replied.
"I guess people in love are really like that." Allen commented.
"I suppose. Isn't that right, Hitomi?" Van said as he placed an arm around her shoulder.
Hitomi just forced a smile.
She hoped that Marco wouldn't know.
"Come on. It's already half past lunch and didn't that new teacher Mr. Ichimoto want to talk to us about the school paper?" Yukari said.
"Oh yeah! Come on. Sorry we have to run but we have to get going if we are to be there on time." Hitomi said to Marco as she grabbed Van's hand and started to run.
The others followed as well.
When they had reached a safe distance, they stopped.
Hitomi let go of Van's hand.
She took a deep sign of relief.
"That was close." She said.
"Tell me about it. I never want to do that kind of thing ever again." Van replied.
"Too bad though." Folken commented.
"Yeah. You have to keep this us because it won't work if it will stop here." Allen said.
Both Hitomi and Van didn't know how to react.
"Then we have to start making the story up if you are to succeed in this." Yukari said.
"Hold it! Don't you guys get carried away." Hitomi said.
"Yeah! It's not you guys who are doing this." Van added.
Folken then stood beside his brother.
He laid a hand on his shoulder.
Folken then said, "Don't you want to help Hitomi?"
"What are you talking about? I just did. Do you really have to ask that?" Van replied.
"It won't be so bad Van. It is just pretend. You two don't have to worry about it too much." Allen said.
"Ok. Why don't we just act as nothing has happened? Let's just act the way we do." Hitomi suggested.
"I agree." Van replied.
Yukari, Folken and Allen looked at each other.
"Hitomi, but-" Yukari started but Hitomi cut her off.
"Look Yukari. The thing we did...it was a mean trick. I know I'm hopeful that it would work but it's still a nasty trick. I will try to talk to him again. I'll just play it by ear if the need comes."
"Are sure you know what you are doing?" Allen asked.
"Yeah. This feels more right than what we just did. Sure he's annoying but he deserves an explanation."
"But you'll still be lying to him if you talk to him again. You'll have to lie to get out of it entirely." Folken commented.
"I know. One lie just leads to another but this is my problem and I should face it than run away and hide behind you. You already helped me enough. I'm sick of running away. This week has been a total nightmare and it's time that I set it right." Hitomi replied.
"If you're sure…ok. But you do know we'll be here to help." Van said.
Hitomi smiled and said, "I know. You guys have done enough. It's time that I take it from here. So, what do you say guys? Agreed?"
They had no choice but to agree again.
"Fine. Agreed." They answered.
Both Van and Hitomi signed in relief.
"Thank goodness." Hitomi commented.
"There is just one thing that bothers me Hitomi." Folken said.
Hitomi turned to him quite confused.
"How could you have tolerated that guy for a week?" Folken asked.
"I don't know myself. Do you have any idea how hard it is to avoid just one guy?" Hitomi replied.
"I can't imagine." Folken replied.
"But you know Hitomi I don't think he's the kind of guy that takes no for an answer." Van commented.
Every one looked at him.
He then explained, "I'm not sure but it looks like he always get what he wants."
Hitomi just smiled.
She then replied, "So you've noticed it too. Don't you think I know his game?"
"What game?" Yukari asked.
"The game where he thinks he can manipulate any woman. He thinks he is so irresistible that women would gladly bow down to him." Hitomi replied.
"Then why did you put up with him for this long?" Allen asked.
"Don't you think I tried to tell him? I tried the gentle approach and he couldn't get it. I really didn't know what to do. I was growing desperate by the day." Hitomi answered.
"Then why didn't you come to us earlier?" Folken said.
Hitomi took a deep breath.
She then answered, "Are you kidding? I was too busy avoiding him."
They then recalled that they had barely been with Hitomi during the course of the week because she was always on the run.
Hitomi kept herself very busy especially during breaks just to avoid Marco.
She then would stay low and hide in their bus after school so that he won't see her.
When the bus did finally leave the school, she would fall asleep from exhaustion from the entire day.
She would only wake up when they were already by their house.
"So, what do you plan to tell him?" Yukari asked.
"Yeah, you said it yourself...he takes no for an answer." Allen added.
"I'm not sure but I need to do it. You had established a foundation and I suppose I'll take it from there. I'll catch you guys later. I need to talk to him now while I still have the guts to. See you guys after class?" Hitomi said.
"Yeah. Meet us by the main building entrance." Folken said.
Hitomi smiled and dashed off.
"You think this is going to work?" Van said.
"I have no idea." Folken replied.
"I don't even think this is a good idea. I mean, Hitomi could bail with you guys' help especially you Van." Yukari commented.
"You heard what she said Yukari. She's tired to running away." Van replied.
"I just can't understand why Hitomi would go for the harder path sometimes and I'm her best friend. I should understand her." Yukari said.
"Because it is for the best and she knows that. You understand her more than you think. You just see her sometimes as you would yourself if you were in her shoes." Allen commented.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Yukari replied.
"Let's just hope right now that it will work out." She added.
"Yeah. I don't think I could stand seeing her like that any longer." Van replied.
"Neither could I. Seeing her so exhausted everyday this week and keeping herself so busy just to get away from his is so frustrating." Folken added.
"But you know, I admire her so much. Even after all that has happened, she still tries to do the right thing." Allen commented.
"Yeah. She's something alright maybe that's the reason why everybody likes her." Van said.
"Van, could I ask you to do something for me?" Yukari said.
She knew that there was something that was starting to happen between Hitomi and Van.
Van turned to her.
"Sure, I guess." He replied.
"Good. Would you promise me that whatever I ask you, you will reply truthfully?" Yukari asked.
"I haven't lied to you Yukari…to any of you...well, maybe to Folken." Van replied.
"Well that's good to hear." Yukari replied.
She then added as she dragged him away from Folken and Allen so that it won't embarrass him much to answer, "Van, who are the girls you like?"
Van was stunned with the question.
He didn't know if he would really answer that or not.
But then he remembered that he had given his word to Yukari that he would answer truthfully.
'What am I to say? A lie or the truth? She might not notice if I'm telling the truth or not because we are away from Folken. Or would she? I suppose I have no choice.' Van thought.
"Well?" Yukari asked again.
"Well."
"As a friend…" Yukari assured.
"Well, I suppose I like Anna, Diane, Tia, Lira, you and Hitomi." Van answered.
"And who do you like best? As a friend..." Yukari asked.
Van really wished that she hadn't asked him that.
"Well?" Yukari asked again.
Van didn't have to answer that because she already knew who it was.
She just wanted to hear it come from Van.
"I promise I won't tell any one especially Hitomi." Yukari said.
"Fine." Van said.
But he had stopped there.
"Well." Yukari persisted.
"It's Hitomi ok." Van whispered.
"Come again. I didn't hear you." Yukari said.
"Hitomi." Van whispered again, a little louder.
"What?" Yukari said again.
"I like Hitomi among all of whom I said earlier ok but only as a friend." Van said in a more audible voice.
Yukari smiled in triumph.
"Satisfied?" Van asked.
"Yeah, very satisfied indeed." Yukari replied.
"You better not tell anyone what we had talked about just now." Van said.
"Of course I won't." Yukari said.
"Yukari." Van said, in a warning voice.
"Trust me Van. I won't tell anyone besides it's that obvious so I don't need to open my mouth. I just wanted to hear it from you." Yukari replied.
"What? What do you mean it's that obvious?" Van answered.
"Think about it. I don't have the answer…you do. Now come on before those two think that we're talking about something really important behind their backs." Yukari said as she started to head back to where Folken and Allen were.
"Yukari, I give up. But..." Van said as he followed her.
He then lowered his voice so that only Yukari could hear, "Does Hitomi…you know...notice it too?"
Yukari stopped herself from laughing really hard.
She was so happy to hear that Folken's brother was really concerned about Hitomi.
"Unfortunately." Yukari started.
Van gulped hard, wishing that it were a more negative response.
"No."
Van signed in relief.
"She just thinks that it's part of your nature…you know...part of your personality because you treat everyone kindly like Folken and Allen." Yukari added.
"So, what did you guys talk about?" Folken asked.
Van didn't know what to answer.
Yukari didn't speak either.
She just forced herself to hide her laughter.
"What's so funny?" Allen asked Yukari.
Van gave Yukari a glare, warning her not to tell anything they had talked about.
Yukari thought of something really quick.
"Oh, nothing. It was hard but I finally got it out of him." She replied.
"Got what out?" Folken asked, looking slightly at Van.
He grinned.
Van tried to keep a straight face.
"I told you it was nothing. Just something about a certain person I really like." Yukari replied.
Van almost signed in relief.
"Right Van?" Yukari said as she turned to him.
"Yeah that's right. She and Hitomi once told me about this certain guy she likes very much. Since I'm a guy, they asked me to get as much information about him as possible because I could befriend him. Obviously Yukari couldn't do it since she's too embarrassed to approach him and Hitomi has other problems to worry about so I was assigned the task." Van said calmly.
He wasn't sure if it made sense because he said the first thing that came to his mind.
Folken eyed him suspiciously.
Yukari bit her lower lip.
She hoped that Folken would buy their story.
Luckily, Folken bought it even though he had his doubts.
But he also knew that neither one of them would talk.
Meanwhile…
Hitomi found Marco still nearby.
She approached him cautiously.
"Marco." Hitomi then said.
He turned to face her and greeted.
"I'm sorry you had to find that out that way." Hitomi said.
"It's alright. I'm should have known...with your beauty, brains and personality." Marco replied.
"Marco please. You're a great guy and everything but I don't think this is going to work even if I didn't have a boy friend. There is someone out there who is better for you than me." Hitomi said.
"Just tell me, is he sweet and kind to you?" Marco asked.
Hitomi didn't need to lie about that.
Van was really kind towards her.
She knew she could tell Van anything.
"Yes. He is." Hitomi replied.
"So, how long have you two been together?" Marco asked.
"I've known him for quite some time now. He is the brother of one of my closest friends." Hitomi replied.
"Well, then…I'm sorry if I got in between the two of you but you two should have said something." Marco said.
"I know. I'm sorry. But...we just had to hide it because no one really knows other than us. To tell you the truth, we shouldn't have told you." Hitomi said.
"Forget it. I'll be seeing you around Hitomi Kanzaki. Friends?" Marco said as he offered a hand.
Hitomi smiled and shook his hand.
"Friends." Hitomi replied.
They then parted ways.
Hitomi then took a deep breath in relief.
'I'm glad that's over even though a lie had to be told for me to be freed.' Hitomi thought.
Hitomi walked over towards the school.
She then wondered how Amano was doing.
'I wonder how Amano's doing. Oh, there I go again. I'm just being silly. I'm sure he's doing fine.' Hitomi thought.
A smile escaped her lips.
That afternoon after class...
They had met by the entrance.
Hitomi was running a little late.
She had to drop by the faculty room to drop off the things their teacher asked her to collect.
"So, did you hear anything from Hitomi when she came back?" Allen asked.
"No." Van replied.
"She didn't say anything. She was just glad that it was over." Yukari added.
"Well, here she comes. Why don't we ask her now?" Folken said as he spotted Hitomi down the hall walking towards them talking with a few girls from the seventh grade.
She said goodbye to them and continued to walk towards the others.
Hitomi smiled at them as she joined them.
"Hi guys. Sorry...have you guys been waiting long?" She said.
"Don't worry. We just got here ourselves." Yukari answered.
"So, what happened with Marco? How did you shake him off?" She added.
"Come on. Let's get out of the building first before someone hears us." Hitomi said.
They went outside and sat by their usually waiting place.
"He didn't hurt you did he?" Yukari asked.
"Oh come on. The question is, did Hitomi hurt him to get his attention?" Folken asked.
"Funny. Well, come on...Hitomi, spill it." Yukari persisted.
"Ok, ok. I just told him that it won't work out whatever the circumstance is. He asked me if Van is nice and how long…you know…I just told him that you're ok and that I've known you for a long time since Folken's a close friend." Hitomi said.
"What else did he say?" Folken asked.
"He also said that he shouldn't be surprised and that he should have expected that." Hitomi answered.
"Well, at least that's over." Yukari said.
"I don't know, Yukari. Since he's on the loose again, you better watch your back." Hitomi said.
"Why?" Yukari asked.
"Oh, I don't know." Hitomi answered.
She was teasing Yukari for once.
"Hitomi!" Yukari said.
Hitomi just smiled at her.
Yukari was walking closer to Hitomi.
Hitomi just smiled at her as she took a step back.
"Hitomi!" Yukari said.
Hitomi started to run.
Yukari ran after her.
"It's cool to see her so happy again." Van commented.
"Nice of you to say that." Folken replied.
"You like her don't you?" Allen said.
"What are you talking about? Sure I like Hitomi but I don't like her- like her. I just like her as a friend." Van replied.
"I've heard that before." Folken said.
"Yeah, that's because I said that when you and Yukari dragged me to follow Hitomi." Van said.
"Are you sure that is the only thing that you feel about her?" Allen asked.
"Of course." Van replied.
"Don't answer me that just yet Van. Think about it." Allen answered.
"Yeah. It's not that we're pushing you two together but there's just something…well, something." Folken said.
"Well what ever that something is...you'll just have to find it." Allen said.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about and something tells me that I don't want to." Van answered.
Months passed.
Soon it was winter.
It had been a long time since Van and Folken had received a word from home.
One day, they received a phone call.
It confirmed their worst nightmare.
They found out that the cold weather made their mother's condition grow worse.
She had developed pneumonia.
Her body couldn't take it in her weak state and she had finally given in.
All their father said was that at least she had died in her sleep and that now she was peaceful.
It was the coldest winter ever.
Two weeks of school was left before the Christmas break was to begin.
They had their finals so they couldn't leave until it was done.
Their father wouldn't permit it.
He said that their mother knew that she wasn't going to survive and had made him promise her that he will not allow their sons to come home until they had finished their schooling for the quarter.
(To be continued…)
So, what do you think? Please send in your reviews. I'm sorry for the late update. My computer's DOS command was corrupted so I wasn't able to access my files sooner. Um, I have to warn you though that I won't be able to update my story as soon as I like because the school year is about to start. Of course I have to concentrate on my studies so that I'll be able to get into a decent college when the time comes. Please bear with me. I promise to update every now and them. I hope you like the story and please, please review.
Michiko